ITV commentator Sam Matterface has opened up on his humorous exchange with Stuart Pearce after the stricken England hero was hospitalised. The 62-year-old icon suffered a health scare during a flight back from Las Vegas, which resulted in his plane being diverted to Canada so that he could receive medical attention on the ground. The pundit was forced to cancel his work commitments and other life activities. According to his colleague, Sam Matterface, who is chief football commentator of talkSPORT, Pearce was far from pleased with having to abort his plans.
« He’s a little bit disappointed about not being here today, » Matterface said. « He actually said to me, ‘I’ve got so much I’ve had to cancel. Great games and Mumford and Sons are playing next Wednesday night and I can’t go!' »Pearce’s current condition has been described as ‘stable’ and he remains in hospital located in the city following the medical emergency. It is yet to be determined when he will be granted permission to return to the UK.
The 70-cap former England international had flown to the USA to watch his favourite rugby team, Warrington Wolves, take on the Wigan Warriors on Saturday, March 1. But on his return journey to the UK, Pearce complained of chest pains during the flight and required medical treatment from staff onboard the Virgin Atlantic aircraft.
The plane was forced to make an unexpected stop when it became apparent that Pearce would need to be transported to hospital. Pilots diverted the plane to St John’s, a city located on the Newfoundland island based off Canada’s Atlantic coast.
Providing an update on his health, Matterface told talkSPORT: « I spoke to him yesterday, he was in great spirits. He isn’t 100 per cent – that is definitely the case. But he’s in the right place in the hospital. They’re dealing with it. »
Matterface spoke to Pearce ahead of the Premier League fixture between Pearce’s former clubs Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, which finished 1-0 to the hosts.
In a touching tribute, Forest paid tribute to their club icon, as Pearce made over 500 appearances for the club, displaying a ‘Get well soon Stuart’ message on the giant TV screen at the City Ground.
After spending the majority of his playing career with Forest, Pearce also enjoyed spells with Newcastle, West Ham and City.
Known affectionately as ‘Psycho’, he moved into management to coach both Forest and City before leading England’s Under-21s with a six-year tenure until 2013. Pearce returned to Nottingham for one more stint at the City Ground in before moving into punditry.
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